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July 20: RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery) ramping back up soon
Cavalli has not made a rehab appearance since June 21 because he experienced “dead arm” after his last start and then came down with the flu. Cavalli has been recovering with the team before he gets ramped back up at the Nats’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“We just wanted to keep him down and really, honestly, slow him down a little bit,” manager Dave Martinez said on Saturday. “He had that dead arm for a little while, and him being sick, we just didn’t want to push him. … It’s one of those things -- he’s so young and he’s a big part of our future. We want to make sure we do everything right for the kid.”

Cavalli, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 5 prospect, underwent Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023. He made three rehab starts this season and advanced to High-A Wilmington.

“We would like to get him on the mound and competing [this season],” Martinez said. “... We’ve kind of had innings in our mind not to exceed. I think if he’s back, we’ll give him enough innings to get him going, get him ramped up and then have a good winter and come back ready to be part of the five next year.”

July 19: LHP Jose A. Ferrer reinstated from injured list; RHP Amos Willingham optioned to Triple-A Rochester
Ferrer returns from a left lat injury sustained in Spring Training. He was placed on the injured list on March 24 and was sidelined for 97 games. The southpaw will be limited to one inning out of the bullpen in the early stages of his return.

Willingham pitched one inning of relief for the Nats on July 14.

July 19: RHP Josiah Gray to undergo season-ending right elbow surgery
Gray will undergo a procedure to alleviate a partially torn UCL on Wednesday with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington. The treatment plan -- Tommy John, internal brace procedure or a hybrid -- will be determined once the extent of the injury is evaluated during surgery.

Gray, the Nationals’ 2024 Opening Day starter, had advanced to Triple-A in his rehab process. He was shut down after allowing seven runs in three innings during his fifth rehab start on June 30 with the Red Wings.

“I’m doing better than I expected,” Gray, 26, said. “... I’m at peace with it. I understood that a lot of people have setbacks in their careers, and unfortunately, mine is this year, 2024. But I’m going to come back stronger and better for it.”

Gray was 0-2 with a 14.04 ERA in two starts (8 1/3 innings) this season. He was placed on the injured list on April 9 (retroactive to April 6) with a right elbow/forearm flexor strain.

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10-day/15-day injured list

1B Joey Gallo (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Gallo took ground balls on July 19 and is “progressing well,” according to manager Dave Martinez. The next step would be running the bases. Gallo was placed on the IL on June 12. (Last updated: July 19)

RHP Trevor Williams (right flexor muscle strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Williams is playing catch up to 75 feet on flat ground. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 4, retroactive to June 1. (Last updated: July 19)

OF Robert Hassell III (right hand injury; No. 9 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Second half of season
Hassell is rehabbing at the Nationals’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., from an injury affecting his right wrist/hand/thumb area. He broke his right hamate bone while playing in the 2022 Arizona Fall League.

"That area hasn't been right since the surgery, so we're going to get him right,” general manager Mike Rizzo said.

Hassell was placed on the 7-day injured list by the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on June 12. (Last updated: July 19)

1B/3B, Yohandy Morales (left thumb injury; No. 4 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
The infield prospect was placed on the 7-day injured list due to a thumb injury on May 21, retroactive to May 20. He was removed from Double-A Harrisburg's game on May 18 after being tagged out while sliding head first into home plate. As of June 26, he was back to throwing and running, and the Nationals planned to reevaluate him in a few weeks. If all goes well, a hitting progression would begin soon after that reevaluation. (Last updated: June 26)

60-day IL

RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery; No. 5 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Second half of season
Cavalli is expected to return to the Nationals’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., this month to get ramped back up in his rehab process. He has not made a rehab start since June 21 because he experienced “dead arm” and then came down with the flu. Cavalli underwent Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023. (Last updated: July 20)

RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: TBD
Gray will undergo season-ending surgery on July 24 to address a partially torn UCL. The procedure will be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington. Gray was placed on the IL on April 9, retroactive to April 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 5 to clear space on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: July 19)

RHP Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Thompson, 26, underwent his second Tommy John surgery on March 1 after previously undergoing the procedure in high school. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: March 24)

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